Oprah to visit Starbucks in Seattle

The former queen of daytime TV is scheduled to visit the king of coffee this week, but if you’re a fan of Oprah and Starbucks, you may have to bask in reflected glory.

Oprah Winfrey’s appearance at Starbucks’ headquarters in SODO Thursday will be open only to employees. Her visit will include a stop in the office’s eighth-floor Starbucks store.

Why will Oprah be in Seattle? Because Howard Schultz will be on her self-help talk show “Super Soul Sunday” on Dec. 8, a Starbucks spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

Also, Oprah has deemed Teavana’s “chai oolong” tea as one of her favorite things, so get ready to hear lots of people say they love chai oolong.

Love Starbucks? Here’s a fun gallery of the weirdest, coolest and busiest Starbucks in the world:

Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS / AFP/Getty Images

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Starbucks recently gave an unusual glimpse into its most popular stores in America, which offered some surprises. Here's who beat out Seattle for Starbucks' busiest store and why Seattle's top performer is so unusual. It's followed by a look at the coolest and weirdest Starbucks in the world.
h/t StarbucksMelody. less

Starbucks recently gave an unusual glimpse into its most popular stores in America, which offered some surprises. Here's who beat out Seattle for Starbucks' busiest store and why Seattle's top performer is so ... more

Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS / AFP/Getty Images

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Starbucks' so-called ''original'' store in Pike Place Market is the company's second-busiest store in the United States. It brings in sales of $5.5 million a year, Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Troy Alstead said at the Jefferies Global Consumer Conference last month. But why is its success such a surprise? less

Starbucks' so-called ''original'' store in Pike Place Market is the company's second-busiest store in the United States. It brings in sales of $5.5 million a year, Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Troy ... more

Photo: Seattlepi.com file

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The Pike Place Market Starbucks has its business challenges. It's tiny (only 1,200 square feet), sells no food and is within a mile of three other Starbucks. But its tourist mobs and fame as the ''first'' Starbucks make it a top moneymaker. less

The Pike Place Market Starbucks has its business challenges. It's tiny (only 1,200 square feet), sells no food and is within a mile of three other Starbucks. But its tourist mobs and fame as the ''first'' ... more

Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP/Getty Images

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By the way, this store is actually Starbucks' fourth oldest. The original opened in 1971 nearby and moved to the current Market spot in 1974. By that time, two other Starbucks had already opened. (But don't tell that to the tourists; we want them to keep coming.) less

By the way, this store is actually Starbucks' fourth oldest. The original opened in 1971 nearby and moved to the current Market spot in 1974. By that time, two other Starbucks had already opened. (But don't ... more

Photo: Melanie Conner / Getty Images

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The third-busiest Starbucks in America may feel like a random spot, unless you live in Houston. It's a giant drive-thru in front of a giant mall at Westheimer Road and Post Oak Boulevard.
''It's an extremely high-volume store,'' Starbucks CFO Alstead said, adding that about 40 percent of Starbucks' U.S. portfolio is in drive-thrus. less

The third-busiest Starbucks in America may feel like a random spot, unless you live in Houston. It's a giant drive-thru in front of a giant mall at Westheimer Road and Post Oak Boulevard.
''It's an ... more

Photo: Google Street View

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The fifth- (or fourth-)* busiest Starbucks in America is the real surprise. It's in the remote, lonesome, central California town of Lebec (pop. 1,500).
''If any of you have ever traveled between L.A. and Bakersfield, Calif., you’ll know that there’s not a whole lot there,'' Alstead said. ''But right in the middle of that stretch, there's a Starbucks drive-thru store.''
*Alstead said the store is ''in the Top 5 volume stores,'' but didn't say if it's fourth or fifth place. And no, he didn't give a complete Top 5 list. less

The fifth- (or fourth-)* busiest Starbucks in America is the real surprise. It's in the remote, lonesome, central California town of Lebec (pop. 1,500).
''If any of you have ever traveled between L.A. and ... more

Photo: Google Street View

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Another look at the Lebec Starbucks, in case you missed that tiny green circle in the first photo. Located off Interstate 5, it's probably the best reason to pull over.

Another look at the Lebec Starbucks, in case you missed that tiny green circle in the first photo. Located off Interstate 5, it's probably the best reason to pull over.

Photo: Google Street View

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The busiest Starbucks in America? It's in Times Square, where Starbucks debuted its flashy, remodeled New York flagship in 2011. It has a snazzy billboard and big tourist crowds, bringing in $6 million in annual sales, Alstead said. less

The busiest Starbucks in America? It's in Times Square, where Starbucks debuted its flashy, remodeled New York flagship in 2011. It has a snazzy billboard and big tourist crowds, bringing in $6 million in ... more

Photo: Photo courtesy Starbucks

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The Times Square Starbucks also features a lot of social media and digital stuff that sounds fun if you're from out of town and cranked on caffeine.

The Times Square Starbucks also features a lot of social media and digital stuff that sounds fun if you're from out of town and cranked on caffeine.

Photo: Neo_II, Creative Commons Flickr

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Now here's a look at the most unusual Starbucks in the world, starting with the best Starbucks in a box. Make that four boxes. This compact Tukwila, Wash., drive-thru is made from four reclaimed shipping containers, which has made enviros happy. less

Now here's a look at the most unusual Starbucks in the world, starting with the best Starbucks in a box. Make that four boxes. This compact Tukwila, Wash., drive-thru is made from four reclaimed shipping ... more

Best Starbucks to drink coffee while looking up: In Amsterdam, where this store features a beautiful, wood-block ceiling. It opened in 2012.

Best Starbucks to drink coffee while looking up: In Amsterdam, where this store features a beautiful, wood-block ceiling. It opened in 2012.

Photo: Photo courtesy Starbucks

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Best Starbucks to watch the scramble of humanity: Above Tokyo's famously crowded Shibuya intersection, where great swarms of pedestrians use the crosswalks at the same time. For fun, watch the video here.

Best Starbucks to watch the scramble of humanity: Above Tokyo's famously crowded Shibuya intersection, where great swarms of pedestrians use the crosswalks at the same time. For fun, watch the video here.

Photo: Yoshikazu TAKADA, Creative Commons Flickr

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Most patriotic Starbucks: Aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. It's the first coffee shop of its kind to serve Starbucks to a naval crew at sea.

Most patriotic Starbucks: Aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. It's the first coffee shop of its kind to serve Starbucks to a naval crew at sea.

Photo: Larry S. Carlson / U.S. Navy

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First Starbucks that made Seattle eco-nerds cheer: The downtown store at First and Pike, which was Starbucks' first LEED-certified store in Seattle. That means it can brag about its recycled materials and energy efficiency. less

First Starbucks that made Seattle eco-nerds cheer: The downtown store at First and Pike, which was Starbucks' first LEED-certified store in Seattle. That means it can brag about its recycled materials and ... more

Photo: Photo courtesy Starbucks

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Best Starbucks to get seasick: Aboard this Royal Caribbean ship, home of the first Starbucks at sea serving luxury travelers.

Best Starbucks to get seasick: Aboard this Royal Caribbean ship, home of the first Starbucks at sea serving luxury travelers.

Photo: JOUNI SAARISTO / Starbucks

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Best Starbucks on rails: A store that travels inside a Swiss passenger train (not pictured).

Best Starbucks on rails: A store that travels inside a Swiss passenger train (not pictured).

...Mexico, where else can Starbucks go?
CFO Alstead talked a lot about ''deepening capabilities'' and ''reaching at new market opportunities.''
So, Starbucks, here are some suggestions for world domination, beyond the current 18,000 stores… less

...Mexico, where else can Starbucks go?
CFO Alstead talked a lot about ''deepening capabilities'' and ''reaching at new market opportunities.''
So, Starbucks, here are some suggestions for world ... more